MOUNT PISA RUN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17630, 21 May 1919, Page 2

MOUNT PISA RUN

OFFERED TO THE GOVERNMENT.

DECLINED IN THE MBAJyTTTME. Tho Mount Pisa, run has been offered to tho Government by Mrs J. Cowio ]Ni<iols for settlement by returned soldieis, but the Government lias dccidcd to do nothing* in the matter until the expiry of tho present lease, in 1921. Tho run is situated between tho Clutha, the Molyneux, and the Oardrona Rivera, and consists of high mountainous sheep country. Tho carrying oapacity of tho run used to bo about 30,000 sheep. There are 865 acres of freehold, more or less, on which are erected the ball: of the station buildings, consisting of a large houso, a woolslicd for 20 shearers, and necessary outbuildings, etc. Tho leasehold amounts to 147,000 acres, more or less, with all implements tbqrcon, consisting of over 100 miles of fencing (part of which is wire netted), huts, oto. There are about 22,000 mormo and halfbred sheep and lambs, about 47 cattle, and 20 horses, about 200 tons of hay and oaten sheaves, rolling stock, and plant, and a licenso for 35 heads of water from the Lockar, Station, and Wash Creeks. In addition to the sheep mentioned above, some <jOCO extra sheep have sinco been put on which were not included in tho offer, but which could have been included at valuation, if desired.

Tho terms of tho off or were that Mrs Aiqhols was prepared to dispose of tho whole station, lock, stock, and barrel, to the Government, by arbitrated valuation, provided the arbitrators were given the i lffht to call in outsido expert evidence to assist them in arriving at a fair decision regarding the valuation. The lease of the leasehold property expires at tho end of February, 1921, but Mrs Nichols was prepared to surrender the rest of tho lease from the acceptance of the offer. Although a definite offer on the lines indicated was made to tbe Government on February 27, no acknowledgment was received till yesterday, when advi.ee was received that the Government had decided not to do anything in the mattter until the expiry of the present lease.